Swachhta Udyami Yojana

Swachhta Udyami Yojana

National Safai Karamcharis Finance and Development Corporation (NSKFDC), an Apex Corporation of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, has launched “Swachhta Udyami Yojana” on 2.10.2014. The objective of the Scheme is to provide concessional loan for viable community toilet projects and sanitation related vehicles to collect the garbage, to consolidate the ongoing efforts for realising the objectives of the ‘Swachh Bharat Abhiyan’ launched by Prime Minister on 2nd October, 2014. Under the Scheme, entrepreneurs among safai karmacharis and identified manual scavengers can avail loan upto defined ceiling at concessional rate of interest @ 4% per annum. In case of women beneficiaries, there is a rebate of 1% in the rate of interest charged. No State/ Union Territory wise budget allocations are made under the Scheme as funds are to be provide to the channelizing agencies on the basis of the proposals received from them. National Overseas Scholarship Scheme The National Overseas Scholarship Scheme provides financial assistance to the selected Scheduled Castes, Denotified, Nomadic, Semi Nomadic Tribes, Landless agricultural labourers and traditional artisans’ students for pursuing higher studies for Master level courses and Ph. D abroad in the specified fields of study. The scheme provides for fees charged by Institutions as per actual, monthly maintenance allowances, visa fees, insurance premium, annual contingency allowance, incidental journey allowance etc. The prospective awardees should not be more than 35 years of age. The total number of awards to be given each year is 60 and 30% of awards are earmarked for women candidates. Financial assistance under the scheme is provided for maximum period for 4 years for Ph.D. and 3 years for Master programme. As per the revised scheme which came into effect from the selection year 2013-14: (i) The annual income ceiling for eligibility has been enhanced from Rs. 3 lakh to Rs. 6 lakh. (ii) The number of fresh slots each year has been increased from 30 to 60 (iii) The selection process has been rationalized